Hi, friends! I’m back with book review volume XX, my second batch of reads from 2025. This year has been a season of change, with minimal travel and a greater focus on working on our home—I undoubtedly owe y’all a life update post soon. In the meantime, the only thing I’ve been diligent about is keeping up with my reading; I’ve already read 21 of my 29 books for this year’s reading challenge. I hope you’re all enjoying a fantastic summer filled with great beach reads.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
I came across Eleanor & Park on a book club reading list, and the glowing reviews made me curious. Set in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1986, this is a tender love story between two misfits—Eleanor, a girl with a difficult home life, and Park, a quiet, half-Korean boy trying to blend in. A reluctant friendship on the school bus slowly becomes a first love, built on comics, mixtapes, and shared silence; however, the looming danger in Eleanor’s home soon threatens her safety and their relationship. Though the story started slowly, and the characters didn’t immediately hook me, I became deeply invested as Eleanor’s home life unraveled and her bond with Park deepened. The author captures teenage love with raw, heartbreaking honesty; I highly recommend it for fans of emotional, character-driven YA romance.
Mile High by Liz Tomforde
Mile High stars Zanders, a cocky, emotionally guarded hockey pro, and Stevie, a confident, plus-sized flight attendant who refuses to play by his rules. Their fiery first encounter aboard the team’s private jet becomes a gradual romance as they navigate Zanders’s pressures of fame and Stevie’s struggles with body image. This story is another character-driven romance that balances steamy moments with an exploration of deeper themes like authentic vulnerability, mental health, and self-esteem. My one complaint was that I found the book a tad long at over 600 pages, but overall, I enjoyed this one and recommend it if you’re looking for a slow-burn sports romance. I’m already eager to dive into the next book in this series, which follows Stevie’s brother, the captain of Chicago’s NBA team, and her best friend.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
After finishing Malibu Rising (my book review here), I began to understand the Taylor Jenkins Reid hype, but Daisy Jones & The Six sealed the deal for me. I usually lean towards contemporary romances and thrillers, but there’s something about the way Reid writes that draws me in. This historical fiction story is told through interview transcripts, piecing together the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band, Daisy Jones & The Six. Daisy is chaotic and magnetic, while Billy is complicated and driven. And the music they create together is the stuff of legends. If you’re into stories about complex people set against a glamorous backdrop of 1970s rock ‘n’ roll with a touch of heartbreak—even if this isn’t your usual genre, you might be surprised by how much you love it, too.
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Imagine witnessing the worst night of your life—and then waking up the day before it happened. Gillian McAllister takes us on a suspenseful journey through time backwards as Jen waits up for her 18-year-old son to come home, only to watch him stab a stranger outside their house. Each subsequent morning pulls her further into the past as she realizes that somewhere in the past lies the trigger for her son’s crime, and it’s her mission to find it and prevent it from taking place. I loved this psychological thriller meets time travel mystery, and I thought the time loop was well-executed. This was such a layered story, and now that I know the ending, I’d love to reread it and catch the things I missed the first time.
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Unfortunately, it’s probably time for Alice Feeney and me to part ways. A few years ago, I read Rock Paper Scissors and didn’t care for that either (my book review here). However, we read this as a book club pick, and the other gals liked it, so don’t let my opinion alone deter you. This one follows author Grady Green, who is grieving the disappearance of his wife and struggling with severe writer’s block. When his agent urges him to visit a remote Scottish island for inspiration and solitude, he obliges. But then he encounters the impossible—a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife. I found this to be a slow burn and much prefer thrillers where the action propels the story forward. Additionally, my biggest gripe with Feeney’s books is the creepy, isolated settings in which the protagonist is conveniently unable to call for help or escape.
What have you recently read that I should add to my summer reading list? Please leave your recommendations in the comments! To see all of my book reviews, click here. xo
I like Alice Feeney books well enough but they aren’t necessarily “must reads” for me. I often feel the way about TJR books too– in fact I think Daisey Jones and the 6 was my least favorite book of hers! LOL. I did enjoy it but I had a hard time keeping the various band members straight.
These are all great recommendations I’m definitely adding them to my list!
Really enjoyed this review of Volume XX! Loved the insights you shared. Thanks
Some really great choices here! I’m definitely going to check out Daisy Jones and The Six.
These books all sound quite interesting! I tend to mostly read self-help types of books, and these books could be a great switch-up from what I typically read.
I may have to add “Wrong Place At The Wrong Time” to my own reading list!
Wrong place wrong time sounds pretty good